OVERNIGHT ISRAEL: Israel Destroys Houthis & Plans Iranian Attack | Day 600 Of Gaza War

Israel Strikes Houthi Plane at Sana’a Airport

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) executed a precision airstrike on Sana’a International Airport in Yemen on May 28, 2025, targeting a Yemenia Airways passenger plane controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the aircraft was used to ferry Houthi operatives to Tehran for training in missile production and weapons development, operating covertly under the guise of a civilian flight. Israeli intelligence had been tracking the plane, which typically docked in Jordan to evade detection. On this day, it landed in Sana’a, presenting a rare opportunity. Within 30 minutes of its arrival from Jordan, IAF fighter jets, supported by other aircraft, struck the plane on the ground, rendering it inoperable. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that this was the Houthis’ last operational aircraft, following a previous strike on May 6 that destroyed other planes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation, stating, “Whoever harms us, we will harm them,” and pointed to Iran’s role as the Houthis’ patron.

The strike is part of Israel’s response to repeated Houthi missile attacks, including two intercepted on May 27, 2025. Since March 2025, the Houthis have launched 28 ballistic missiles and dozens of drones at Israel, often targeting key infrastructure like Ben Gurion Airport. A notable missile strike on May 4 penetrated Israel’s air defenses, briefly shutting down the airport. Katz warned that Israel will continue targeting Yemen’s ports and strategic assets, maintaining a naval and aerial blockade on Houthi operations. Local Yemeni media reported significant damage to the airport, which had reopened just 11 days after a prior Israeli strike on its terminal and runway. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV claimed earlier strikes in May killed three people, highlighting the ongoing tit-for-tat escalation. The operation, dubbed “Golden Jewel,” underscores Israel’s advanced intelligence capabilities and its resolve to neutralize Iran’s proxy threats, even as the US pursues a ceasefire with the Houthis, a move that has sidelined Israel in regional diplomacy.

600 Days of Hostage Crisis Marked Nationwide

May 28, 2025, marked 600 days since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 individuals abducted to Gaza. Nationwide protests erupted, with demonstrators in Tel Aviv, Shoham, Zichron Yaakov, Hadera, Holon, and Jerusalem demanding the release of the 58 remaining hostages. In Tel Aviv, protesters blocked the Ayalon Highway, painting “Hostages home, government home” on the road, calling for both a hostage deal and new elections. At Hostages Square, a digital counter flipped to 600 days as protesters released yellow balloons, while others formed a human chain in the Mediterranean Sea near the US Embassy. In Jerusalem, demonstrators gathered outside the home of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, criticizing his negotiation efforts, which have secured only one hostage release in over 100 days.

Freed hostage Or Levy, held for 491 days, wrote in Haaretz about the constant danger in captivity, urging leaders to act. Eliya Cohen, freed after 505 days, spoke at an event in Los Angeles, describing being chained in underground tunnels, bathed only every few months, and scavenging for pita scraps. Of the 57 hostages from October 7, 35 are confirmed dead, 20 are believed alive, and concerns mount for three others, per Israeli officials. Protests also targeted Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, with bereaved parents demanding a state inquiry into October 7 failures. The Hostages Families Forum has voiced frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially after he teased a potential deal only to retract it, calling it “psychological terror.” Efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release continue, with Mossad chief David Barnea and Dermer set to meet US envoy Steve Witkoff, though Hamas’s demand for a 90-day ceasefire clashes with the US push for 60 days. The ongoing military operations in Gaza, including new incursions in Khan Younis, raise fears for the hostages’ safety.

IDF Treats 500 Syrians at Medical Facility

In southern Syria, the IDF has treated over 500 Syrians, primarily Druze, at a “forward mobile triage” facility near the village of Hader, established several weeks ago. The unit operates as part of Israel’s broader mission to secure the Golan Heights and maintain a forward security zone amid regional instability. The IDF’s humanitarian efforts focus on providing medical care to locals affected by Syria’s ongoing conflicts, balancing security operations with assistance to the Druze community. The military emphasized that these actions protect Golan Heights residents while supporting vulnerable populations across the border.

The facility’s operations coincide with Israel’s increased military presence in southern Syria, prompted by concerns over Iranian-backed militias and the potential for cross-border threats. Recent face-to-face meetings between Israeli and Syrian officials at the border aim to de-escalate tensions, reflecting Israel’s delicate balancing act in the region. The IDF’s humanitarian work contrasts with its combat operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, highlighting a lesser-known aspect of its mission. Since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, Israel has periodically provided medical aid to Syrians, including through “Operation Good Neighbor” (2016-2018), which treated thousands. The current facility builds on this precedent, though specific treatments or patient conditions remain undisclosed. The initiative underscores Israel’s strategic interest in stabilizing its northern border while countering Iran’s influence in Syria, where Hezbollah and other proxies remain active.

Iran May Allow US Nuclear Inspectors

Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, announced on May 28, 2025, that Tehran might permit US inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit its nuclear facilities if ongoing talks with Washington succeed. The US and Iran are preparing for a sixth round of negotiations, with President Donald Trump expressing optimism about “good news.” Iran maintains that its uranium enrichment, now at weapons-grade levels, is for civilian purposes, but it has blocked IAEA inspectors and expanded its ballistic missile program. Eslami described enrichment as a “red line,” likening it to a power plant critical to Iran’s nuclear industry.

The New York Times reported US concerns that Israel could strike Iran’s nuclear sites with just seven hours’ preparation, potentially leaving little time for diplomatic intervention. Israeli officials reportedly believe the US would be compelled to assist if Iran retaliated. The Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the report as “fake news,” but tensions remain high after a heated phone call between Trump and Netanyahu, where Trump urged Israel not to disrupt nuclear talks. Iran’s nuclear program has been a flashpoint since the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) collapsed in 2018 under Trump’s first administration. Recent reports suggest the US and Iran may issue an interim declaration of principles to delay escalation, though Iran rejects a temporary freeze on enrichment. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reiterated that the program is peaceful, but warnings from Iranian officials about pursuing a bomb have heightened global alarm. The US’s THAAD missile defense system, deployed in Israel, underscores the risk of escalation, as both nations brace for potential Israeli action.

Yad Vashem Hosts Antisemitism Conference

An international conference on combating antisemitism opened at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem on May 28, 2025, drawing ministers, ambassadors, and envoys from dozens of countries, alongside Jewish community leaders. Held during Israel’s presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the event began with a tour of the Holocaust museum and a memorial ceremony. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar addressed delegates, describing a “new antisemitism” that targets Israel through slander, delegitimization, and double standards. He cited the murder of Israeli embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington on May 22, 2025, where the suspect shouted “Free Palestine” after the attack, as evidence of rising global antisemitism.

The conference comes amid a surge in antisemitic incidents worldwide, fueled by the ongoing Gaza war and regional tensions. Sa’ar noted protests in Washington as a symptom of this trend, urging global cooperation to counter hate. The IHRA, founded in 2000, promotes Holocaust education and has been instrumental in defining antisemitism, though its working definition has sparked debate over its application to criticism of Israel. The Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, where Lischinsky and Milgrim were killed, reopened on May 29 with a memorial for the couple, highlighting the personal toll of antisemitism. Israel’s leadership in the IHRA reflects its commitment to preserving Holocaust memory while addressing contemporary threats to Jewish communities. The conference will continue with discussions on policy measures, including education and legal frameworks, to combat antisemitism in an increasingly polarized world.

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